The world still faces the challenge of containing the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic. Continued and widespread testing is one major way of getting ahead of the virus, yet few people are aware of what goes on during lab testing. Let’s talk about some of the basics surrounding one of the most commonly performed lab…
Over 34 million people in the United States have diabetes, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of individuals who struggle with this condition also continues to increase across the globe. Patients must learn how to manage this lifelong disease to avoid complications, decrease mortality risk, and maintain a…
When you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you don’t breathe normally. You may easily get short of breath. You might also notice a feeling of congestion in your chest. Patients with COPD today have newer, more effective treatments available to alleviate their symptoms and to give them a renewed sense of well-being. Let’s take…
Everyone gets cuts and scrapes when they’re growing up and playing a lot, but even the most cautious adults will occasionally get injured as well. Minor surface wounds can be cleaned and treated at home, but deeper breaks in your skin may require professional medical assistance. Unlike closed wounds, such as bruises or closed fractures,…
Lab tests help doctors in the assessment of your health. For example, blood tests and a urine test are usually part of your regular annual checkup so your doctor can look for any abnormalities, monitor certain health conditions, or evaluate your body’s response to treatments. Your results are checked to see whether they fall within…
The idea of staying protected from the coronavirus should not prevent you from seeking urgent care for an illness or injury. Your health and safety are the top priority in health facilities of all kinds, from hospitals to urgent care centers. You can rest assured that everyone is taking extra precautions, especially healthcare providers –…
Do you know what the difference is between a sprain and a strain? A lot of people mistakenly refer to these two types of injuries as the same, even though they are very different. Let’s take a look at what the difference is between sprains and strains. Sprains Sprains are characterized by overstretching or tearing…
An EKG is an electrocardiogram (abbreviation is from the original German word: elektrokardiogramm), which is a scan that is designed to detect and record the electrical activity of your heart. This is accomplished via electrodes placed strategically at various spots on your limbs and chest. The primary purpose of the EKG is to measure the…
Difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and mucus production are all symptoms of the inflammatory lung disease called COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). COPD is a grouping of pulmonary conditions that the patient is suffering simultaneously, usually emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is not curable, but it is treatable and manageable. In addition to eliminating exposure to…
Cuts and scrapes are a normal part of life – regardless of your age. As such, proper wound care is an essential skill everyone should have. Even small wounds can end up being big trouble if they aren’t taken care of properly. As such, when you get a wound, make sure to know what you…
As summer returns and the sunshine invites everyone outside again, more people will get out and spend time on physical fitness and outdoor sports. However, all of the excitement can turn things upside-down, and injuries can happen because we’re suddenly pushing ourselves too much. Because so many sports injuries happen during summertime, it’s best to…
Athletes wishing to play sports are required by most schools, colleges, and other organizations to get a sports physical, also known as a preparticipation physical examination, before beginning to play. The purpose of the sports physical is to determine you are healthy enough to play in particular type of sport. A sports physical is done…
